When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

New Torquay United manager Gary Johnson will try to end the Gulls’ seven-year FA Cup famine, earn the club a £10,000 bonus away to Lymington Town at the weekend – and he has conceded a County Cup match to focus on it.

Johnson, whose arrival sparked a 2-0 league win at Hungerford Town last Saturday, aims to become the first United boss to win an FA Cup tie since Martin Ling in November 2011 (Chesterfield A 3-1).

But even though National League South Torquay are entering the competition at their earliest ever stage – the 2nd Qualifying round – and Sydenhams Wessex League club Lymington are the lowliest opposition they have ever met, there is a lot at stake on Saturday.

Read More

Related Articles

The BBC has decided that it is the ‘tie of the round’, and kick-off has been brought forward to 12.30pm at Lymington’s tiny Sports Ground for live online TV coverage.

That will deliver a £1,000 broadcast fee, to top up the £9,000 prizemoney at stake, and that’s just the start of a potentially money-spinning incentive for Johnson and the club.

With no reserve side to call on, a first-team squad down to 16 players and an under-18s team in the middle of three matches in four days, Johnson has conceded a Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup tie away to Plymouth Parkway on Wednesday tonight.

“I can’t risk any of my senior lads, and our plan was to utilise our under-18 squad in the County Cup,” he said.

“But they played twice at the weekend, then they’re at Wells City in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday, so to ask them to play four games in the space of five days would be incredibly unfair.

“It’s a great shame that we were unable to change any of the games, but we respect that decision and our focus is all on Lymington now. The Cup is massively important to us.”

The TV cameras will be out for Torquay United's FA Cup trip to Lymington Town this weekend. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Johnson is already planning to strengthen the squad he inherited from his predecessor Gary Owers, and Emirates Cup revenue would give those moves a timely boost.

The competition prize fund has been significantly increased, giving even the early rounds a big boost.

The figures read:

* £9,000 (plus share of gate receipts) – at stake in Saturday’s tie

* £11,140 – how much Lymington have already earned for wins in the extra preliminary, preliminary and first qualifying rounds.

* £15,000 – on offer to winning clubs in the next round.

* £49,000 – how much United will collect in prizemoney if they manage to reach the first round proper.